Sunday 10 December 2017

CARSCOOPS

CARSCOOPS

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Keep Your Black Series, We Want This Mercedes CLK DTM Cabrio

Posted: 10 Dec 2017 03:56 AM PST


Think the Black Series represented the most hardcore versions of standard-production Mercedes road cars? Think again and feast your eyes on the CLK DTM AMG.

Basically a road-going version of the racer Mercedes fielded in Germany's highly competitive touring car series, the CLK DTM was the most hardcore and exclusive version this side of the CLK GTR, a homologation special which shared little more with the road-going CLK than its name and a distorted family resemblance.

Just try these specs on for size. The CLK63 AMG Black Series employed a 6.2-liter V8 to produce 500 horsepower. The C63 AMG Black Series Coupe that followed did a little better with the same engine kicking out 510 hp. The Mercedes-AMG C63 S that basically takes their place today uses the newer 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 to produce 503 hp. But the DTM edition used a 5.4-liter supercharged V8 to kick out no less than 582 hp.

As a result, it hit 62 mph (100 km/h) in 3.8 seconds and topped out at 200 mph (320 km/h). Over a decade later, you still won't find another version of the CLK or C-Class (save again for the GTR) that'll hit those numbers.

And it was exclusive. Man, was it exclusive: AMG only made 100 coupes in 2004, and followed up with another 80 convertibles in 2006.

There happens to be one for sale in Saudi Arabia right now at the Seven Car Lounge in Riyadh. The dealer, tellingly, hasn't publicized the asking price. But for what it's worth, the last one we saw come up for sale crossed the auction block in London just this past September. RM Sotheby's estimated its value at about £300k, or roughly $400k at current exchange rates, but failed to meet its lofty reserve price.

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Bottoms Up: Morgan Partners With Friday Beer For A New Pilsner

Posted: 10 Dec 2017 02:59 AM PST


You surely have heard it before, but we won't tire repeating it: drinking and driving don't mix. That doesn't mean that a motoring enthusiast can't enjoy a beer at the end of a long day, though, once the driving's done. And some might be inclined to check out these latest brews from Morgan.

The British producer of old-timey sports cars has partnered with the Friday Beer Company to come out with a line of brews. They've already done a series of Morgan ales, but now they've teamed up again for a lager.

The pilsner-style lager is called No.29 Pils, brewed in the same Worcestershire town of Malvern where Morgan is based, using its famously clean spring water. At 4.6 percent alcohol by volume, it's offered alongside the three types of ale: the Morgan 3 Wheeler Dark Mild Ale, the Aero 8 Rye Ale, and the 4/4 Blonde Ale (fittingly bottled at 3, 4.8, and 4.4 percent ABV, respectively).

"We are delighted to be introducing a new range of pilsner style craft lager to the already successful range between Morgan and Friday Beer," said Morgan's managing director Steve Morris. "This is a great example of two local companies working together and we hope that many Morgan owners all around the world can enjoy a glass or two during the Christmas period."

The brews with their delightfully (and suitably) old-fashioned labels and packaging are being offered for purchase online through the Beer Hunter website. A four-pack of pilsners or a three-pack of ales will set you back £18.00, and could make the perfect gift for the Morgan driver on your holiday shopping list.

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Check Out The Difference Between A Volvo XC60 D5 And A D4

Posted: 10 Dec 2017 01:45 AM PST


If striking a balance between price and performance matters most to you, what would you choose between a Volvo XC60 D5 and its less powerful D4 version?

Granted, straight line speed isn't the most important thing in a compact premium SUV, but that doesn't mean performance is a non factor, especially since these cars often get packed to the brim during holiday trips.

So once you add passengers, luggage, maybe even a dog, you'll need sufficient power and torque to safely overtake cars at motorway speeds or to quickly execute such a maneuver on a country road.

If the all-new XC60 happens to be your SUV of choice and you're trying to decide between the D5 and D4 versions, here's what you need to know.

Both have 2.0-liter turbodiesel engines, yet the former packs 235 PS and 480 Nm (354 lb-ft) of torque, while the latter is good for 190 PS and 400 Nm (295 lb-ft) of torque. They both weigh about the same, so in the end it just comes down to how much quicker the D5 is compared to the D4.

According to Volvo, the XC60 D5 will hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in 7.2 seconds, whereas the D4 needs 8.4 seconds, so on paper, there's no denying who's faster. Even so, Carwow put the two models to the test, and you can see how this turned out in the video that follows.

VIDEO

Maserati Could Be The Next Automaker To Enter Formula E

Posted: 10 Dec 2017 12:30 AM PST


Automakers left and right have been flocking to Formula E, and the next one to join in on the action could be Maserati.

According to Autosport, Maserati is the most likely candidate among the numerous brands under the FCA umbrella, ahead of Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, or Dodge. But first the group's chief executive Sergio Marchionne needs to determine whether the electric racing series represents a worthwhile investment.

The FCA chief has expressed interest in the series, most recently stating that, excluding Ferrari, it would be one of the other automakers over which he presides that would be represented should such a program be give it the green light.

"I haven't spoken to Mr Marchionne," series chief Alejandro Agag told Autosport, "but would naturally welcome his group into Formula E whenever the time becomes right for them."

The Modena-based brand was just recently linked to a potential Formula One entry with the Haas team in the same way Alfa Romeo has with Sauber. But the leading motorsport publication believes a Formula E effort is far more likely to happen.

Maserati would be in good company on the electric grid, as rivals like Porsche, Audi, BMW, Mercedes, and Jaguar have all gotten involved. Aston Martin has been tied to a potential entry as well, but with the size of the field already limited, any manufacturer interested in joining would have to partner with one of the existing teams. While most of the current teams have partnered with one automaker or another, neither Techeetah nor Dragon Racing have any such partnership in place at present.

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Restoring A Pagani Zonda To Its Original Condition Is A Fine Art

Posted: 09 Dec 2017 07:02 PM PST


After announcing the launch of its official restoration programme, Pagani has released a short video to show us how it restores a Zonda back to showroom condition.

You wouldn't expect Pagani to use a greasy service bay for this kind of task and you would be right; in fact the area where the magic happens looks better than most living rooms I've ever been in.

The programme is called Pagani Rinascimento and will basically allow owners of early Zondas to return their supercars in their original condition. Pagani will even restore down to each bolt, should the customer wishes them to.

Using the original molds and materials, Pagani's craftsmen will restore by hand the cars and work on a single car at the time. During the restoration, they will also document everything in a special Rinascimento book that will come with the finished car.

"Our customers rely on us because we are the only ones in the world capable of rebuilding and restoring Paganis as they came out of our Atelier," said Horacio Pagani. "We want to give our customers the emotion to be thrilled as the first time."

VIDEO

Think Twice Before Pairing Your Smartphone To A Rental's Infotainment System

Posted: 09 Dec 2017 05:40 PM PST


Renting a car and pairing your phone up to the connected infotainment system is certainly easy enough. However, by doing so you could be compromising your privacy.

According to a report by Privacy International, the data you send to the car includes the location and contents of your smartphone, as well as your home address.

What's worse is that the data then gets stored in the connected infotainment system and it's unclear who, if anybody, is tasked with deleting it.

Millie Graham Wood, solicitor and legal officer at Privacy International told ZDNet that in most rental cars, "there were between five and 10 different phone identifiers. When you connect to the Bluetooth, it will store your identifier."

She then added that "we also looked at the navigation systems: a lot of locations were stored. Places people had driven to, you could possibly link up with their name and drive there."

In order to put together this report, cars were rented from multiple hire companies such as Sixt, Enterprise, National, Zipcar and Thrifty, and the models tested included the Audi A3 and the Nissan Qashqai.

Apparently, rental companies expect the users to delete the data themselves once they're done with the vehicles.

"The unanimous responses were, not only is it the individual's responsibility to delete their data when they return the rental car, the individual is further responsible for informing other passengers who connect their devices to the car that their data is being stored on the car, and not necessarily deleted," stated the report.

Enterprise was one company that felt the user was responsible for deleting his or her information, while Sixt and Thrifty are already looking at policies to delete driver information as part of the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulations).

It's also important to point out that the car manufacturers themselves have little to no say in the matter. When approached for comments, Nissan said that it was up to the rental company or the customer to clear the data, and that the automaker itself doesn't have access to the car's internal systems unless it's fully connected to the internet.

"As this is a rental company fleet vehicle, Nissan does not have access to or control of a vehicle to carry out such a reset after each rental customer and would expect the customer or the rental company to carry out any necessary resets," said the Japanese automaker.

So if you're currently renting or planning on renting a car in the near future, pay attention to the type of information you share with the infotainment system - be it cell phone data or sat-nav destinations.

New McLaren Senna Is A 798HP Street-Legal Hypercar For The Track

Posted: 09 Dec 2017 05:22 PM PST


McLaren has finally introduced its long-anticipated hypercar, which we came to know under its P15 internal codename over the past year, as the Senna. It's not exactly a direct replacement for the P1 as it will sit next to the brand's upcoming three-seater BP23.

The latest and newest member of McLaren's Ultimate Series carries the name of legendary Formula 1 driver, Ayrton Senna, who won all three of his F1 driver titles with the team in 1988, 1990 and 1991.

Why would I want one?

If its name or visceral racecar looks aren't a good enough reason, then perhaps the fact that McLaren itself describes the Senna as the brand's most extreme road car ever – and yes, despite being developed primarily for the track, it's completely street-legal, could tip the scales to its favor.

"The McLaren Senna is a car like no other: the personification of McLaren's motorsport DNA, legalized for road use but designed and developed from the outset to excel on a circuit," says McLaren boss, Mike Flewitt. "Every element of this new Ultimate Series McLaren has an uncompromised performance focus, honed to ensure the purest possible connection between driver and machine and deliver the ultimate track driving experience in the way that only a McLaren can."

The Senna's ultra-lightweight construction, with a carbon fiber chassis that's a further development of the 720S platform and body panels, help it achieve an incredibly low dry weight at just 1,198kg (2,641lbs), making it the brand's lightest road car since the iconic McLaren F1. For those of you keeping track, that's around 220kg or 485 pounds less than the already lightweight McLaren 720S.

Beyond the aero-honed teardrop shape, the Senna gets a slew of extreme, latest generation front and rear active aerodynamics, which McLaren says, raise downforce and aero control to an "unprecedented level". We could talk about the aero blades that will be available in various colors, the movable flaps hidden in the air intakes, but the most visual drama comes from the massive rear wing.

What makes it tick?

Powering the Senna is a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 placed behind the driver mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission that turns the rear wheels. It produces 800PS (789bhp) and 800Nm (590 lb ft) of peak torque, resulting in a power-to-weight ratio of 668PS/650HP-per-tonne.

The Woking company won't say how fast it is yet, simply stating that it will have "savage performance". Still, a 0-60mph (96km/h) in 2.5 seconds or less and a top speed of over 200mph (320km/h) should be expected from the most powerful road-legal McLaren ever.

Putting all those horses on the tarmac is a revised version of the P1's independent double-wishbone suspension with hydraulic adaptive dampers and anti-roll bars that McLaren names RaceActive Chassis Control II (RCC II).

The adaptive dampers are interconnected hydraulically, both left to right and front to back, with two valves per damper to independently adjust for compression and rebound. The stiffness of the Senna is separately controlled using a kinetic roll system, or K-damper. In addition to the Comfort, Sport and Track settings we've seen on the P1 and 720S, the Senna also gets a newly developed Race mode. The latter introduces a lower ride height, lower centre of gravity and significantly stiffer suspension.

McLaren says the braking system of the Senna is the most advanced it has ever made for a road car (you've probably noticed a pattern here), using carbon ceramic discs and motorsport technologies. The Senna rides on bespoke Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R tires that were designed for race tracks but approved for road use.

"The McLaren Senna delivers true performance, all the way to the limit of a driver's ability," says McLaren Ultimate Series boss, Andy Palmer. "With a truly astonishing power-to-weight ratio, this car is about performance that is accessible and attainable, yet at the same time exciting and challenging for the very best drivers in the world – and with an intense, sensory experience to match."



Tell me about the cabin

Before you enter the car, you have to operate the top-hinged doors that are constructed from carbon fiber and feature two-piece glass side windows with a fixed top part and a smaller opening section below. McLaren says the glass layout enhances the sense of space inside the cockpit, but if you want to go to extremes, you can switch the lower portions for carbon fiber panels, in which case, the interior will be a darker place.

The cabin itself is an ode to minimalism offering the bare essentials. That means super lightweight seats with hardly any padding, while many items such as the door handles, engine start button and window switches have been positioned on the roof. The three-spoke steering wheel is free of buttons and switches, while a very simple and narrow screen in front of the driver informs about engine revs, the gear selected and speed. All other information and settings comes from the high-definition McLaren Folding Driver Display and central infotainment screen.

Good luck trying to carry anything other than a couple of helmets and racing suits as storage space is restricted to a chamber behind the seats.

Can I afford it?

Probably not, but even if you did have the £750,000 it costs in the UK with taxes at your disposal, and which comes to around $1 million at today's rates, all 500 hand-built cars have been spoken for. The last example was sold in an auction for £2 million or $2.7 million with the proceeds to benefit the Senna Foundation.

We'll have the opportunity to see the new Senna in the flesh at next year's Geneva Motor Show in March. Production of the car will begin in the third quarter of 2018.

Video



Photo Gallery

Would You Pay $20k For A Practically Brand New 1987 Mazda 626?

Posted: 09 Dec 2017 04:16 PM PST


The third-generation Mazda 626 sold very well in Europe between 1982 and 1987, and this 5-door hatchback version was by far the most practical option in the range.

Now, somebody's trying to sell a 1987 facelifted example on cc-cars for no less than 129,000 DKK - which, at current exchange rates, amounts to around $20,000! The reason why they're asking so much is because the car has less than 1,000 km (621 miles) on the clock.

Looking at its interior, we spot electric windows, a sunroof and an automatic transmission, which is probably the four-speed one introduced in 1987 that replaced the three-speed one used previously.

All things considered, this 626 looks pretty good, especially for those of us who grew up admiring these types of mid-size family cars. Go back in time and put this exact spec model on the road, and you'd get plenty of attention from your fellow motorists.

Anyhow, asking 20 grand in late 2017 for a 30-year old Mazda 626 is, in our opinion, quite a stretch - but to each his own. Would you be willing to pay that much for it? Chip in in the comments section below.

H/T to Christian

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Jay Leno Samples The Lamborghini Huracan Performante In LA

Posted: 09 Dec 2017 02:57 PM PST


It is almost a year since the Lamborghini Huracan Performante stunned attendees at the Geneva Motor Show but the hardcore Huracan continues to amaze.

Recently, Jay Leno jumped behind the wheel of a bright green Performante through the streets of Los Angeles, while also speaking with the chief operating officer of Lamborghini America, Alessandro Farmeschi, to discuss all the developments made to the car.

In terms of power, the Performante is powered by a naturally-aspirated 5.2-liter V10 engine delivering 631 hp and 443 lb-of torque. In a world where supercars are continuing to push the boundaries with over 700 hp, those figures may not seem like a lot. However, the Performante did lap the Nurburgring in a blistering 6:52, proving that horsepower and torque aren't the only things needed to set impressive lap times.

One intriguing development of the Performante is its use of the Aerodinamica Lamborghini Attiva (ALA) system. This technology includes two flaps in the front splitter which can open and close to adjust downforce. Additionally, the car features a hollow forged carbon fiber rear wing and funnels air through the rear wing uprights, creating improved downforce through corners and reducing aerodynamic drag when necessary.

VIDEO

First Images Of New McLaren Senna Track-Focused Hypercar

Posted: 09 Dec 2017 04:17 PM PST


Images have just leaked online which show McLaren's recently-announced P15 hypercar, officially dubbed the McLaren Senna.

Set to premiere in full in just a couple of hours, the McLaren Senna is the latest model in the Ultimate Series family of models. Reports claim that the Senna will be powered by an upgraded version of the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 of the 720S, outfitted with bespoke internals and new turbochargers. It should deliver roughly 789 hp.

Underpinning the Senna will be McLaren's Monocage II carbon fiber tub, ensuring that the hypercar weighs less than 1,300 kg. This should result in a power-to-weight ratio that easily eclipses that of the hybrid P1.

These leaked images showcase the hypercar's curious design. Up front, it takes obvious design inspiration from the 720S, with similar headlights but a more pronounced splitter. Elsewhere, we can see that the P15 has transparent panels in the doors, a glass canopy and a small roof scoop. Additionally, there is a towering rear wing with swan neck uprights and a set of center-locking wheels. Odd is an understatement.

Just 500 units of the McLaren Senna are apparently scheduled for production.




A post shared by McLaren F1 Owners Club (@mclarenf1ownersclub) on


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Renntech's Mercedes-AMG E63 S Has 773HP, Hits 60 In 2.8 Seconds [w/Video]

Posted: 09 Dec 2017 02:00 PM PST


The stock Mercedes-AMG E63 S is pretty impressive as it stands, with 604hp and 627lb-ft (850Nm) of torque, and a 0-60mph (96km/h) sprint made in just 3.3sec.

However, Renntech have improved this super saloon by applying their performance software, which the tuner claims unleashes the true potential of the car.

By modifying the throttle mapping, boost mapping, and ignition timing, optimizing air-to-fuel ratios, and increasing the rev limiter, the tuner has made the engine deliver an impressive 773hp and 778lb-ft (1,055Nm) of torque at the crank, and 665hp and 669lb-ft (907Nm) at the wheels.

Renntech's tuned E63 S can now reach 60mph (96km/h) from a standstill just 2.79sec , which makes it 0.11sec faster than the new Porsche 911 GT2 RS. The 0-100mph (0-160km/h) sprint takes 6.61sec, and the quarter mile run is completed in 10.88sec, at 129mph (208km/h).

Despite choosing not to release an extensive image gallery of their latest product, Renntech have dropped a short video that shows just how fast their Merc' AMG E63 S really is.



VIDEO

Driving Lambos On Snow Is The Most Fun You Can Have With Your Pants On

Posted: 09 Dec 2017 12:59 PM PST


The Lamborghini Accademia program provides participants with the opportunity to drive the Italian brand's very best vehicles in a number of different conditions, including on snow.

As you can imagine, driving a 600 hp+ all-wheel drive supercar on snow isn't exactly easy, as many participants in the video below recently discovered.

The clip shows a host of Huracan and Aventador S models sliding around a specially-built racetrack covered in snow.

On tarmac, Lamborghini's all-wheel drive supercars aren't the most tail-happy vehicles on the planet. However, on snow, and with an experienced driver behind the wheel, they can expertly slide around corners.

Moreover, unlike a racetrack, the punishment for getting things wrong isn't slamming into a concrete or steel barrier, but instead soft walls made from snow.

So, does driving get much more enjoyable than this? We don't think so...

VIDEO

2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS Rendered As A Coupe, Cabriolet And AMG

Posted: 09 Dec 2017 12:00 PM PST


After its Los Angeles Auto Show world premiere, the 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLS has, inevitably, become rendering-artist material.

And while some of them are just for kicks, such as the Coupe and Cabriolet, the last one is a sign of things to come, because it portrays the four-door coupe in range-topping AMG guise, as imagined by Aksyonov Nikita.

Changes at the front include a new bumper and modified grille, which incorporates the AMG badging, whereas the rear end gets a reworked bumper, carbon fiber diffuser and boot lid spoiler, and quad tailpipes.

We'll have to wait a few months to find out whether the new Mercedes-AMG CLS63 will look anything like this, or if it will get a Panamericana grille, meaner bodykit and lower stance. At least we know what to expect in the engine compartment: Merc's 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8, of course, probably in two stages of tune, for the normal and the S versions respectively.

In S form, the CLS63 will most likely be powered by the same engine as the E63 S, where it puts out 612 PS (604 HP) and 850 Nm (627 lb-ft) of torque. Those numbers are good enough for a 3.3-second run 100km/h (62mph) from a standstill, and a top speed of either 250km/h (155mph) or, with the electronic limiter removed, 300km/h (186mph), so we expect the CLS63 to be capable of similar performance.

PHOTO GALLERY

Chris Harris Can’t Get Excited About The Tesla Model S P100D

Posted: 10 Dec 2017 12:00 AM PST


Our favorite Top Gear presenter finally gets a go in Tesla's Model S P100D, giving us some of his thoughts on arguably one of the most hyped automobiles out there.

It's easy to understand why the Model S P100D created such a huge ripple effect in the automotive scene, as it's basically a long-range electric vehicle that can accelerate faster than almost anything in the market right now.

It's also a really good road car, offering plenty of room for five or seven passengers and their luggage as well as tons of grip and near-silent comfort, not to mention that it's supported by the most complete charging infrastructure out there.

Despite all the amazing credentials Tesla's ultra-fast Model S comes with, and unlike other reviewers, Harris wasn't that impressed by it and makes some very interesting observations, as you can see in the video that follows.

VIDEO

Vorsteiner Sprinkles Some Fairy Dust On The Porsche 911 GT3

Posted: 09 Dec 2017 10:00 AM PST


Just when you thought the 991.2-generation Porsche 911 GT3 couldn't get any more impressive, Vorsteiner has just released images of an example it has laid its hands upon.

This particular GT3 left the factory painted in Carmine Red and has since been outfitted with a Vorsteiner carbon fiber hood that bares a close resemblance to what you'll find on the GT2 RS. Additionally, the tuner has fitted a set of carbon fiber wing mirrors and carbon accents on the A-pillars.

Completing the modifications made are a set of gloss black Vorsteiner 20-inch wheels and an aftermarket exhaust from GMG Racing.

Powering the latest GT3 is a 4.0-liter naturally-aspirated flat-six derived from the unit used in the 911 GT3 R and the 911 RSR racer. It delivers 500 hp and 338 lb-ft and, unlike its predecessor that was PDK-only, can be paired to a six-speed manual transmission for the purists that prefer that extra bit of driver involvement.

PHOTO GALLERY

Let's Take A POV Ride In The BMW M4 CS, Shall We?

Posted: 09 Dec 2017 08:54 AM PST


The new BMW M4 CS is absolutely dripping with sex appeal and has a spec sheet to back up its seductive looks. But what's it like to drive?

To find out, AutoTopNL jumped behind the wheel of an example finished in San Marino Blue and took it through a number of forest roads. The review also features a high-speed run along the Nurburgring, perfectly showcasing just how potent the tweaked M4 is.

Designed to slot between the M4 GTS and the M4 Competition Package, the twin-turbo 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine of the car has been uprated to a healthy 454 hp and 442 lb-ft (600 Nm) of torque. When mated to a dual-clutch seven-speed automatic transmission, it can sprint from 0-62 mph (100 km/h) in 3.9 seconds, or 0.3 seconds quicker than the M4 Competition.

Beyond its engine upgrades, the M4 CS comes complete with 6-piston front and 4-piston rear calipers clamping down on carbon ceramic discs. There are also stiffer springs and dampers, larger roll bars and 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels as standard, while weight saving measures mean the M4 CS is 32 kg (71 lbs) lighter than a normal M4.

VIDEO

Yellow Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato Is An $880k Piece Of Art

Posted: 09 Dec 2017 07:59 AM PST


To our eyes, the Vanquish Zagato Coupe is the most beautiful car produced by Aston Martin in recent years. The British automaker built just 99 units of the Vanquish Zagato Coupe, which means its very exclusive and, since its launch, followed it up with a Zagato Volante, Speedster, and Shooting Brake.

In Europe, prices started at around €560,000 but we've just stumbled upon a used example with a €749,000 ($883,000 USD) sticker price. While technically it is "used", it has just 43 miles (70 km) on the odo, which makes it practically brand new.

The seller, Kagan Assets, says that this Zagato is number 49 of 99 and images show that the bright Cosmopolitan Yellow exterior is contrasted by an almost all-black interior, with the exception of some small yellow accents.

Powering the Vanquish Zagato Coupe is a 6.0-liter naturally-aspirated V12 delivering 592 hp, resulting in a 0-60 mph (96 km/h) time of 3.5 seconds, so it certainly has the oomph to go with its looks. Granted, the price is quite steep, but more often than not that's the case with limited-run supercars and buyers who get them only to sell them for a huge premium.

PHOTO GALLERY

Is The 2018 Alpine A110 Good Enough To Worry Porsche's 718 Cayman?

Posted: 09 Dec 2017 01:17 PM PST

Finally, Alpine has let the first journalists to test their new A110, and the first reviews are more than positive, as it marks the rebirth of the historic brand in the best way possible, according to Autocar's driving impressions.

Based on an all-new aluminum platform, the lightweight mid-engine coupe is powered by a turbocharged 1.8-liter engine with 247hp and 236lb-ft that's paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, which is the only gearbox available. Weight is an impressively low 1,080kg (2,380lbs), which gives the A110 a power-to-weight ratio of 231hp per tonne that's good enough for a 0-62mph (0-100 km/h) in 4.5 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 155mph (250km/h).

The suspension uses double wishbones front and rear, while the floor is completely flat and employs a rear diffuser, giving the new Alpine the combination of low drag with true downforce.

Is the new Alpine A110 as good as it sounds and can it challenge the likes of Porsche's 718 Cayman and Alfa Romeo's 4C? Find out by watching the video right after the jump.

VIDEO

Land Rover' SVO Division Allegedly Considering A Two-Door Range Rover

Posted: 09 Dec 2017 05:56 AM PST


How many doors does the range-topping Range Rover have? If you answered four (or five with the tailgate), you're probably thinking of the current model and most of its progenitors. But that wasn't always the case, and it might just change in the future.

Speaking with Land Rover design chief Gerry McGovern at the LA Auto Show recently, Motoring reports that a two/three-door Range Rover could be in the works.

"There's probably less market for a two-door [Evoque], and given that we have a cabriolet there's no need," said McGovern. "But as we get bigger you can think about going two-door because it becomes more exclusive, which might give you a hint."

In between the lines, what we can read into that is that JLR's Special Vehicle Operations division could coach-build an exclusive Range Rover coupe, based on the flagship model – not on the (relatively) lower-end Range Rover Sport, Velar, or Evoque (the two/three-door version of which is being discontinued).

"The good thing with SVO is it is a self-funding business, so there are opportunities within SVO that don't necessarily have to be mainstream and small volume [vehicles] lend itself beautifully to that," McGovern told Motoring.

It wouldn't be the first case, after all. The first-generation Range Rover originally debuted in 1970 as a two-door. The four-door didn't come out until 1981, with the two-door being phased out in 1994.

As Motor Trend points out, Land Rover showcased a two-door concept called the Range Stormer that's pictured here in 2004. It styling previewed the original Range Rover Sport that surfaced later the same year, but the concept featured two doors instead of the four of the production model.

Photo Gallery

London's Black Cab Goes All 21-Century On Us With PHEV Model

Posted: 09 Dec 2017 04:57 AM PST


The iconic black cab returns in its latest and more modern interpretation in the form of the new TX eCity taxi. Following its public debut last summer, the new electrified TX Cab is now fully certified to carry fare-paying passengers in London.

London EV Company has put the new TX Cab through the most rigorous testing regime in the company's history, including testing sessions in the Arctic Circle and Arizona, along with thousands of miles at the hands of real taxi drivers on the streets of London.

Powering the new TX is an advanced electrified powertrain that combines a Volvo-sourced 1.5-liter three-cylinder petrol engine and two rear-mounted electric motors for a total driving range of up to 400 miles and a purely electric range of 80 miles.

The new London black cab can fit up to six passengers which will notice the dramatically improved NVH levels and features like USB ports and Wi-Fi.

"After extensive testing, LEVC's new taxi is ready to do the job it was made for: transport people around this great city of London safely, cleanly and stylishly," said Chris Gubbey, CEO of the LEVC. "Better for passengers, more cost effective for drivers, it will play a major role in helping to improve air quality benefiting all Londoners."

Prices for the new electrified TX taxi starts from £55,599 OTR or £177 per week over five years. The vehicle's battery is covered by a five-year, unlimited mileage warranty as well.

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